Building block



Dec. 24, 1935.

A. L. SCUDDER' BUILDING BLOCK Filed March 5, 1934 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Ash sf L. Scudder INVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS.

Dec. 24, 1935.

A. L SCUDDER BUILDING BLOCK Filed March 5, 1934 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 v a g Asher L. Scudder INVENTOR.

Fig. 5.

ATTORNEYS.

Dec. 24, 1935. r A. L. .SCUDDER 2,025,529

BUILDING BLOCK Filed March 5, 1934 3 Sheets-Shet 3 As her L. Seddder IN V EN TOR.

BMW

A TTORNEYS.

Patented Dec. 24, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 30 Claims.

This invention relates to building materials and it has particular reference to building blocks composed preferably of concrete, or the like, and its principal object resides-in the provision of such construction blocks embodying certain novel and unique features calculated to afford more desirable and sturdytypes of structures in which strength and durability are predominant factors, as well as economy.

Another and very important object of the invention is manifest in the provision of the distinctly novel formation of the blocks affording unusual interlocking media whereby each block can be laid upon another with the minimum of effort and skill yet insuring a sturdy and indestructible wall which will be mechanically correct and attractive in appearance.

Still another object of the invention resides in the provision of construction material capable of being laid in such a manner as will enable the builder to economically provide a double wall for his structure and thereby take advantage of the insulating and acoustical effects of such an arrangement, as well as other features resulting from such construction, such as formation of chimneys, air ducts, plumbing, andthe like, which are difl'icult of installation in any other wall of similar construction.

Yet another object of the herein described invention is manifest in the provision of a formation of the blocks which minimizes the use of mortar in the joints and in fact, completely eliminates a visible mortar joint which is necessarily evident in the usual types of construction scribed.

.A further object is to provide a building block wherein a substantially funnel shaped joint is provided to guide the mortar into the groove, and wherein guide ridges shutoff overflowing mortar to thereby provide an enclosed mortar joint to keep out moisture, grit, and other damaging material, thus making a joint of brick strength.

A different object is to provide a building block construction wherein universal joints are provided, without said joints having interlocks, whereby the joint controls the level of the blocks.

A still different object is to provide a wall construction wherein the end joints are controlled to a definite width so that they will be universal, and wherein intermediate blocks can cross-lay at regular intervals.

Yet another different object is to provide a building construction wherein a groove is so deg of a similar nature to the invention herein designed that when-filled with mortar a complementary tongue will displace the mortar to just the extent needed to fill the void between the blocks, thus providing a visible guide for the amount of mortar to be used, and preventing 5 waste or insufliciency of the liquid mortar applied.

A further different object is to provide a mortar joint which is automatically controlled as to width and thickness, both vertically and hori- 10 zontally, by virtue of the dry edges providing accurate and invariable support of the units and leaving a predetermined space for mortar between the units, the units being so designed that no overflow of mortar will occur to the dry ridges 15 or seats, and a construction is also provided havinggreater adhesive surface.

With these and various other objects in view, the invention may consist of certain novel features of construction and operation as will be 20 more fully described and particularly pointed out in the specification, drawings and claims ap pended hereto.

In the drawings, which illustrate embodiments of the device and wherein like reference charaction of a wall particularly showing the interlocking feature and the longitudinal mortar joint.

Figure 3 is a plan view of the preferred form of block.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary plan view of a vertical joint illustrating the vertical mortar grooves at each end of the block.

Figure 5 is a fragmentaryelevational view of a wall illustrating both vertical and longitudinal joints.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of one of the blocks showing a section of the interlocking elements laterally disposed on one end of the block for lateral extension of the wall.

Figure 7 is a perspective illustration of another arrangement of the interlocking elements for use in double wall construction.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary plan view ofa double wall construction wherein the block shown in s Figure 7 is utilized, and

when the latter is properly positioned, would as the description proceeds, that a wall constructed with the herein described building block is of a much greater strength than a structure in which the ordinary type of masonry is found due primarily to the double action of the interlocking media which insures against both lateral or longitudinal displacement of the blocks as well as provides for frictional adhesiveness in the longitudinal as well as vertical joints.

When a wall is constructed by this method it is found to be stronger and more durable than a poured monolithic wall of the same weight and material and without the aid of reenforcing rods, or the like, and is free from superfluous indentations and projections, since the blocks are perfectly moulded, and are therefore free from porousness which eliminates the possibility of the ingress or seepage of moisture therethrough.

Due to the arrangement of the interlocking elements, it is obvious that, when the blocks are cor-.

rectly cast, a perfectly straight wall can result. It is not necessary to align the blocks longitudinally or vertically and the masonry can be accomplished by even an unskilled workman.

Accordingly, therefore, the block I is moulded or cast in a mould having its surfaces provided with such indentations and projections as to produce the interlocking media 2, as hereinbefore mentioned, and as will be presently described. Reference is had to Figure 1 which illustrates, in perspective, a preferred form of the block I in an inverted position and in which is shown a rib 3 extending longitudinally of the block I and having lateral projections 4 extending from each side thereof simulating the form of a cross. These I is in this position the surfaces 5 on each side of the rib 3 decline outwardly to the shoulder or upwardly extending side 6a of the block I which,

block I in its upright or operative position. The lowermost side of the block I, on which the rib- 3 and its lateral projections 4 are shown will hereafter be referred to as the "positive or male surface.

It is found preferable to provide on each end of the block I vertically arranged grooves I whose function will become manifest as the description I proceeds. These grooves I are arranged in close proximity -to the vertical sides of the block I, as exemplified in Figures 1 and 2. While it is not essential to the proper functionof the block I, as a highly desirable building unit, it is sometimes desirable to provide annular passages or bores 8 to extend longitudinally through the block I.

gressively placed, one course upon another, as shown in Figures 2 and 5.

The negative or normallyuppermost side 9 of the block I is provided with a longitudinal gro'ove or channel I0, preferably of a type having a fiat surfaced bottom, as shown in Figures 2 and 6, and which extends the entire length of the block I in the manner shown in Figure 3. A series of substantially rectangular indentations II extend laterally from the groove I0, and at regular intervals, outwardly toward the vertical sides of the block I and terminating at a point approximating the width of the said groove III. The groove I0 and the indentations II correspond to the rib 3 and the lateral projections 4 on the positive or lowermost surface of the block I, previously described.

The surfaces I2 on each side of the groove I0 incline outwardly from the latter to terminate in a shoulder I3 to form a ledge or depressed seat I4 upon which the depending sides 6 of the positive or lowermost surface of the block I rests when positioned in the wall. This is illustrated more in detail in Figure 2.

By reason of the sloping surfaces I2 on each side of the groove Ill, a trough is formed, as illustrated in Figures 2, 3 and 6, capable of receiving a thin liquid mortar, sometimes called grout, which will serve as an adhesive agent for the blocks I. construction and thus a great saving is realized in its use. Obviously, when a thin, liquid-like mortar is used, little cement is necessary to its usefulness contrary to what is usually required by masonry of the ordinary type.

Attention is directed to the illustration in Figure 2 in which is shown a vertical cross-sectional view of a wall constructed with the blocksd. Note that the depending edges 6 of the lower or "positive faces of the blocks I extend downward further than the depth of the ledge or seat I4 on the upper or negative face of the block I next beneath. This arrangement provides for a space a. between the depending rib 3 and the complementary sloping surfaces of the two blocks I within which the grout, or thin mortar, is placed as the blocks I are laid in the wall.

The space a affords suflicient displacement for the necessary amount of mortar to permit of proper adhesion and, due to the close joints at b and e, no mortar can overflow the trough provided by the groove I0 and the sloping surfaces I2 on each side thereof. Thus a smooth, tight and even longitudinal joint is provided in which there is no mortar and thereby affording smooth surfaces for the vertical sides of the wall to receive a wash or plaster scratch coatfand walls thus constructed need not be plastered in order to appreciably enhance their appearance.

Moreover, there is as equally close vertical joint between the ends of the blocks I as the \latter are abutted'together in the wall for the reason that what little mortar is required to tie the ends together can be poured into vertical annular passages which result by registering the opposing grooves I, previously described, and thus affording an adhesion between the ends of the blocks I at their vertical joints and forming an integral part of the mortar placed in the trough or space a in the longitudinal joint. rangement is illustrated in Figure 4.

In providing for corner or lateral wall construction, specially formed blocks I afford lateral arrangements of the rib 3 and the groove or channel I0 and their appurtenances 4 and II.

Very little mortar is required in this 1.1

This ar- This will permit of the meshing or registering of the connecting blocks I as the latter are positioned in the wall, as shown in Figures 6, '7, 8

and 9. The latter illustrations show how the blocks I can be interlocked at the corners and in tying in the partitions. The special arrangements are designated as IS in Figure 6 and IS in Figure '7.-

By reason of the opposing interlocking faces of the blocks I, as has heretofore been pointed out, that is to say, positive and negative intermeshing or interlocking elements, such as the ribs 3 and the groove or channel I0, and their appurtenances, there can be no movement of any of the blocks I in the wall as units. This arrangement eliminates both longitudinal and lat-. eral displacement of the blocks I and thereby affords, as it were, a solid mass of one unit. There could be no breaking or receding of the blocks, to crack and open the joints without breaking the entire wall. v

In ordinary types of masonry it is a common occurrence to observe the cracking or separation of the blocks or brick along both the longitudinal and vertical joints and usually in a zigzag course which materially weakens the structure regardless of the amount of rich mortar used in construction. Y

Palpably, too, the blocks I of the herein description are much more easily laid than ordinary blocks or brick of similar shape and size. The novel interlocking media, the depending edges 6 and the ledges or seats I4 of the blocks I, make the construction simple and practical and a wall can be laid without the use of plumb, level or square, after the first course is placed.

By use of the construction material described in the foregoing specification, it can be seen that by reason of the close fitting joints,'no moisture can penetrate through the wall and thus render it unnecessary to moisture proof the mortar in order to provide a plaster surface on the inner wall. By particular reference to Figure 2 it will be seen that the depending edges 6 of'the uppermost block I closely contact the shoulder I3 at b and the seat I4 at c which arrangement completely eliminates the passage of moisture through the joint.

Furthermore, Figure 2 illustrates the proposition that the trough and channel or depression arranged longitudinally of the lowermost block I will retainthe mortar and prevent its overflowing the sides or pass over the shoulder I3. The.

joints are completely sealed, both longitudinally and vertically.

It is to be understood that I donot wish to be limited by the exact embodiments of the device shown, which are merely by way of illustration and not limitation, as various and other forms vide a trough leading thereto, and a depressedv seat disposed on the outside of said walls adjacent the sides of said block.

2'. A building block unit including a body portion having ,an edge provided with walls sloping toward the longitudinal center line of said block to provide a trough, and a depressed seat distions form troughs between said rib and said posed on the outside of said walls adjacent the sides of said blocks.

3. A building block unit including a body portion having an edge provided with a substantially continuous rib disposed on the longitudinal cen- 5 ter line.thereof, portions of said block sloping away from said rib, and shoulders .formed adjacent the sides of said block whereby said porshoulders.,

' 4. A building block unit includinga body ortion having an edge provided with a substantially continuous groove disposed on the longitudinal center line thereof, walls on each side of said groove sloping toward said groove to provide a trough leading thereto, a depressed seat disposed on the outside of said walls adjacent the sides of said block, another edge of said block being provided with a substantially continuous rib disposed on the longitudinal center line thereof, portions of said block sloping away from said rib, and shoulders formed adjacent the sides of said block whereby said portions form troughs between said rib and said shoulders.

5. A building block unit including a body portion having an edge provided with a substantially continuous groove disposed on the longitudinal center line thereof, walls on each side of said groove sloping toward said groove to provide a trough leading thereto, a depressed seat disposed so on the outside of said walls adjacent the sides of said block, another edge of said block being provided with a substantially continuous rib disposed on the longitudinal center line thereof, portions of said block sloping away from said rib, and shoulders formed adjacent the sides of said block whereby said portions form troughs between said rib and said shoulders, said block having channels formed in an end thereof spaced from the sides thereof.

6. A wall construction including adjacent courses of building block units, adjacent blocks of each course including a body portion having an edge provided with a substantially continuous groove disposed on the longitudinal center line thereof, walls on each side of saidl groove sloping toward said groove to provide a trough leading thereto, a depressed seat disposed origthe outside of said walls adjacent the sides of said block, the adjacent edge of the other block being substantially complementary and being provided with a substantially continuous rib disposed longitudinally of the center line thereof andextending into the groove of said first named block, a portion of said block sloping away from said rib, shoulders of greater depth than said depressed seats formed adjacent the sides of saidblock and being adapted to seat on said depressed seats whereby said rib and the adjacent portions are spaced from the complementary portions of said -first block to accommodate a binder between said blocks.

7. A wall construction including adjacent I courses of building block units. adjacent blocks of each course including a body portion having 5 an edge provided with a substantially continuous groove disposed on the longitudinal center line thereof, walls on each side of said groove sloping toward said groove to provide a trough leading thereto, a depressed seat disposed on the outside of said walls adjacent the sides of said block, the adjacent edge of the other block being complementary and being provided with a substantially continuous rib disposed longitudinally of the center line thereof and extending into the groove of saidfirst named block, a portion of said block sloping away from said rib, shoulders of greater depth than said depressed seats formed adjacent the sides of said block and being adapted to seat on said depressed seats whereby said rib and the adjacent portions are spaced from the complementary portions of said first block to accommodate a binder between said blocks, and channels formed in the endof said blocks spaced from the sides thereof to accommodate the overflow of binder between said blocks.

8. A building block unit including a body portion having an edge provided with a substantially continuous groove disposed on the longitudinal center line thereof, walls on each side -of said groove sloping toward said groove to pro vide a trough leading thereto, and a depressed seat disposed on the outside of said walls adjacent the sides of said block, said walls having equally spaced transversely arranged grooves communicating with said first named groove and terminating short of said depressed seats.

9. A building block unit including a body portion having an edge provided with a substantially continuous rib disposed on the longitudinal center line thereof, portions of said block sloping thereof, walls on each side of said groove sloping toward said groove to provide a trough leading thereto, seat means'disposed on the outside of said walls adjacent the sides of said block, the adjacent edge of the other block being substantially complementary and being provided with a substantially continuous rib disposed longitudinally of the center line thereof and extending into the groove of said first named block, a. portion of 'said block sloping away from said rib, and seating means engaging said seat means and so related thereto that an enclosed mortar joint is provided between opposite sides of said wall construction.

11. A wall construction including adjacent courses of building block units, adjacent blocks of each course including a body portion having an edge provided with a substantially continuous.

groove disposed on the longitudinal center line thereof, walls on each side of said groove sloping toward said groove to provide a trough leading thereto, a depressed seat disposed on the outside of said walls adjacent the sides of said block, said walls having equally spaced transversely arranged grooves communicating with said first said depressed seats formed adjacent the sides of said block and being adapted to seat on said depressed seats whereby said rib and the adjacent portions are spaced from the complementary disposed on the longitudinal center line thereof, 10

walls on each side of said groove sloping toward said groove to provide a trough leading thereto, a depressed seat disposed on the outside of said walls adjacent the sides of said block, a'groove extending transversely of said edge and having 15 walls on each side thereof forming a trough, said last named walls terminating to provide a depressed seat on each side of said last named groove, said grooves having transverse grooves on each side thereof and terminating short of 20 the edges of the adjacent walls, another edge of said block being provided with a rib disposed on the longitudinal center line thereof, portions of said block sloping away from said rib, shoulders formed adjacent the sides of said block whereby I said portions form troughs between said rib and said shoulders, a rib extending transverselyof said last named edge and having portions on each side thereof sloping away from said rib, seating shoulders on each side of said last named portions, and ribs transversely arranged with respect to said other ribs.

13. A building block unit including a body portion having anedge provided with a groove disposed on the longitudinal center line thereof, 85 walls on each side of said groove sloping toward said groove to provide a trough leading thereto, a depressed seat disposed on the outside of said walls adjacent the sides of said block, a groove extending transversely of said edge and having 40 walls on each side thereof forming a trough, said last named walls terminating to provide a depressed seat on each side of said last named groove, one of said seats communicating with said first named groove, said grooves having transverse grooves on each side thereof and terminating short of the edges of the adjacent walls, another edge of said block being provided with a rib disposed on the longitudinal center line thereof, portions of said block sloping away from said rib, shoulders formed adjacent the sides of said block whereby said portions form troughs between said rib and said shoulders, a rib extending transversely. of said last named edge and having portions on each side thereof sloping away from said rib, seating shoulders on each side of said last named portions, and ribs transversely arranged with respect to said other ribs.

14. A building block unit including a body portion having an edge provided with a groove 00 disposed on the longitudinal center line thereof,

' walls on each side of said groove sloping toward said groove to provide a trough leading thereto, a depressed seat disposed on the outside of said walls adjacent the sides of said block, spaced grooves each extending transversely of said edge and having walls on each side thereof forming a trough, said last named walls terminating to provide a depressed seat on each side of said last named grooves and the adjacent walls interrupting said first named groove, said grooves having transverse grooves on each side' thereof and terminating short of the edges of the adjacent,walls, another edge of said block being provided with a rib disposed on the longitudinal center line thereof, portions 01' said block sloping away from said rib, shoulders formed adjacent the sides of said block whereby said portions form troughs between said rib and said shoulders, spaced ribs each extending transversely of said last named edge and having portions on each side thereof sloping away from said rib, seating shoulders on each side of said last named portions, and ribs transversely arranged with respect to said other ribs, said spaced ribs interrupting said first named rib.

' I 15. A building block unit having a body porblock, surfaces of said edge sloping outwardly from said rib and depressed with respect thereto, and an upstanding ridge provided on the edges of said block adjacent the sides, the edges of said ridges forming seats, the last named surfaces between said ridges and said rib forming troughs inclined outwardly toward the adjacent side of the block.

16. A building block unit having a body portion, one edge of said body portion being provided with depressed seats adjacent the opposite sides thereof, the inner edges of said seats being defined by raised shoulders, the surfaces of the raised portions from said shoulders sloping inwardly toward the longitudinal center line of said block, said block having a depressed groove along said longitudinal center line whereby a trough is formed on each side of said groove, the opposite edge of said block being complementarily formed including a projecting rib disposed on v the longitudinal center line of said block, surfaces of said edge sloping outwardly from said rib and depressed with respect thereto, an upstanding ridge provided on the edges of said block adjacent the sides, the edges of said ridges forming seats, the last named surfaces between said ridges and said rib forming troughs inclined outwardly toward the adjacent side of .the block, the ends of said block being provided with grooves extending between edges.

17. A building block unit having a body portion, one edge of said body portion being provided with depressed seats adjacent the opposite sides thereof, the inner edges of said seats being defined by raised shoulders, the surfaces of the raised portions from said shoulders sloping inwardly toward the longitudinal center line of said block, said block having a depressed groove along said longitudinal center line whereby a trough is formed on each side of said groove, the opposite edge of said block being complementarily formed including a projecting rib disposed on the longitudinal center line of said block, surfaces of said edge sloping outwardly from said rib and depressed with respect thereto, and anupstanding ridge of substantially greater depth than the depth of said first named depressed seats provided on the edges of said block adjacent the sides, the edges of said ridges forming seats, the last named surfaces between said ridges and said rib forming troughs inclined outwardly toward the adjacent side of the block.

18. A building block unit having a body portion, one edge of said body portion being provided with depressed seats adjacent the opposite sides thereof, the inner edges of said seats being 5 defined by raised shoulders, the surfaces of the raised portions from said shoulders sloping inwardly toward the longitudinal center line of said block whereby a trough is formed, the opposite edge of said block being complementarily 10 formed, surfaces of said edge sloping outwardly from the longitudinal center line of said block, and an upstanding seat forming ridge of substantially greater depth than the depth of said first named depressed seats provided on the edges 15 of said block adjacent the sides; v

19. A building block unit having a body portion, one edge of said body portion being provided with depressed seats adjacent the opposite sides thereof, the inner edges of said seats 20 being defined by raised shoulders, the surfaces of the raised portions from said shoulders sloping inwardly toward the longitudinal center line of said block, said block having a depressed groove along said longitudinal center line where- 5 by a trough is formed on each side of said groove, the opposite edge of saidblock being complementarily formed including a projecting rib disposed on the longitudinal center line of said block, surfaces of said edge sloping outwardly from said rib and depressed with respect thereto, and an upstanding ridge provided on the edges of said block adjacent the sides, the edges of said ridges forming seats, the last named surfaces between said ridges and said rib forming troughs inclined outwardly toward the adjacent side of the block, the edges of said block respectively having transverse grooves and ribs disposed to merge into the respective longitudinal groove and longitudinal rib.

20. A building block unit having a body portion, one edge of said body portion being provided with depressed seats adjacent the opposite sides thereof, the inner edges of said seats being defined by raised shoulders, the surfaces of the raised portions from said shoulders sloping inwardly toward the longitudinal center line of said block, said block having a depressed groove along said longitudinal center line whereby a trough is formed on each side of said groove, the opposite edge of said block being complementarily formed including a projecting rib disposed on the longitudinal center line of said block, surfaces of said edge sloping outwardly from said rib and depressed with respect thereto, and an upstanding ridge of substantially greater depth than the depth of said first named depressed seats provided on the edges of said block adjacent the sides, the edges of said ridges forming seats, the last named surfaces between said 0 ridges and said rib forming troughs inclined outwardly toward the adjacent side of the block, the edges of said block respectively having transverse grooves and ribs disposed to merge into the respective longitudinal groove and longitudinal 5 rib.

21. A building block unit having a body portion, one edge of said body portion being provided with depressed seats adjacent the opposite sides thereof, the inner edges of said seats being defined by raised shoulders, the surfaces of the raised portions from said shoulders sloping inwardly toward the longitudinal center line of said block whereby a trough is formed, the opposite edge of said block being complementa rily formed, surfaces of said edge sloping outwardly from the longitudinal center line of said block, and an upstanding seat forming ridge of substantially greater depth than the depth of' said firstnamed depressed seats provided on the edges of said block adjacent the sides, one of the edges having transverse grooves therein and the other having transverse ribs thereon.

22. A building block unit having a body portion, one edge of said body portion being provided with depressed seats adjacent the opposite sides thereof, the inner edges of said seats being defined by raised shoulders, the surfaces of the raised portions from said shoulders sloping inwardly toward the longitudinal center line of said block, said block having a depressed groove along said longitudinal center line whereby a trough is formed on each side of said groove.

23. A building block unit having a body portion, one edge of said body portion being provided with depressed seats adjacent the opposite sides thereof, the inner edges of said seats being defined by raised shoulders, the surfaces of the raised portions from said shoulders sloping inwardly toward the longitudinal center line of said block, said block having a depressed groove along said longitudinal center line whereby a trough is formed on each side of said groovey said edge of said block having transverse grooves merging into said depressed groove.

24. A building block unit having a body portion, one edge of said body portion being provided with a projecting rib disposed on the iongitudinal center line of said block, surfaces of said edge sloping outwardly from said rib and depressed with respect thereto, and an upstanding ridge provided on the edges of said block adjacent the sides, the edges of said ridges forming seats, the last named surfaces between said ridges and said rib forming troughs inclined outwardly toward the adjacent side of the block.

25. A building block unit having a body portion, one edge of said body portion being provided with a projecting rib disposed on the longitudinal center line of said block, surfaces of said edge sloping outwardly from said rib and depressed with respect thereto, and an upstanding ridge provided on the edges of said block adjacent the sides, the edges of said ridges forming seats, the last named surfaces between said ridges and said rib forming troughs inclined outwardly toward the adjacent side of the block, said edge of said blockhaving transverse ribs merging into said first named rib.

26. A building block unit having a body per-- 5 tion, one edge of said body portion being provided with depressed seats adjacent the opposite sides thereof, the inner edges of said seats being defined by raised shoulders, the surfaces of the raised portions from said shoulders sloping in- 10 wardly toward the longitudinal center line of said block whereby a trough is formed.

2'7. A building block unit having a body portion, one edge of said body portion being provided with depressed seatsadjacent the opposite 15 sides thereof, the inner edges of said seats being defined by raised shoulders, the surfaces of the raised portions from said shoulders sloping inwardly toward the longitudinal center line of said block whereby a trough is formed, said edge 20 of said block having transverse grooves therein.

28. A building block unit having a body portion, one edge of said body portion being provided with surfaces sloping outwardly from the longitudinal center line of said block, and a projecting ridge 25 provided on the edges of said block adjacent the sides, said ridge being adapted to form a seating and centering shoulder. i

sitesides thereof, the inner edges of said seats 40 being defined by raised shoulders, the surfaces of the raised portions from said shoulders sloping inwardly toward the longitudinal center line of said block whereby a trough is formed, the opposite edge of said block being complementarily 45 formed, surfaces of said edge sloping outwardly from-the longitudinal center line of said block, and an upstanding seat forming ridge provided on the edges of said block adjacent the sides.

I ASHER L. SCUDDER. .50 

